"The Jewish leaders insisted, 'We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.'  When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace.  'Where do You come from? he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.  'Do you refuse to speak to me?'  Pilate said.  'Don't you realize I have power either to free You or to crucify you?'  Jesus answered, 'You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.'" (John 19:7-11a, NIV & NKJV)

Please forgive my harsh language here, but one of the most, if not the most stupid statements and beliefs held over the centuries by people who claim to be Christian is the belief that the Jews killed Jesus.  You and I did that, so did those who believe such lunacy, so too the Jews, so too Pilate, so too...., "For all have sinned...."

What is it about, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above," that people don't (or perhaps, won't) understand and/or accept?  From the Garden to the Cross, the entire "journey" was under the "direction" of the Blessed Trinity.  From the moment sin first entered our race, that "Day of the Cross" was fixed in history.  Whatever "power" humanity has witnessed throughout history is always inside the, "power...from above."  This is so key to victorious living in Jesus Christ: The "inside power" has no chance against the "Outside Power!"

 The Jews and Pilate thought they were running things That Day.  On That Day and, "in His Cross," however, we see that in the Trial, the beating, the spitting upon, the mocking, the Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the very Words of Jesus were being fulfilled which He had spoken not long before That Day, "The thief comes not except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly....The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep." 

The Cross of Jesus is God the Father, God the Son Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit, demonstrating His love, His forgiveness, and just as the preacher once said when speaking of Jesus' Words to John about Mary, "Always providing."  We can all look around us today and over our life time and see His "always-providing" care, even in those times when our pain did not allow us to see It/Him.  Life can seem so overpowering at times.  "Where is the promise"? can be on the lips, if not at least in the minds, of so many who suffer so much.  But remember today what Isaiah 53 says of Jesus' Cross, "Surely our griefs/sickness, He Himself bore, and our sorrows/pains He carried...."  You and I are well provided for today!

Father, in Jesus' Name, "What Wondrous Love!"  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Jesus Answered, 'My Kingdom....'"

"Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not derived from this world.  If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm/from here.'"  (John 18:36, NASB)

Or perhaps, "My Kingdom does not have the same authority, origin, nor does it operate in the same manner, as your kingdom?"

It is a grave mistake to interpret what Our Lord Jesus Christ is saying here to Pilate as a denial of Jesus that He is, "King of the Nations."  Jeremiah makes it quite clear that Jesus Christ is exactly what Pilate asked of Jesus, "Are You a king then?"  We read in Jeremiah 10:7, "Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?  For this is Your rightful due.  For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You."  Followers of Jesus have made grave mistakes throughout history, believing that Jesus Christ is not, "King of the nations", 0nly "king" of Bible Studies and Sunday School classes, church programs, etc.

The problem with too many is that they interpret most translations which say, "My Kingdom is not of this world," to mean that Jesus' Kingdom has nothing to do with, "this world."  The result in America, and I suspect in other nations, has been to see people who claim to follow Jesus voting for those who deny the Reign of Jesus Christ, Biblical Principles, and the call of the Church to, "Go therefore and make disciples of ALL NATIONS", aka, humanists.  The majority of Christendom in the last few centuries has been of those who leave the reign of Christ in the Church buildings and other religious "contexts."  Such an interpretation would not have put fear in Pilate's heart.    

The Word translated, "of," in, "of this world," literally means, "from, from out of."  Jesus is telling Pilate that His Kingdom is from another Authority.  The Word for, "from,"  is also translated in other contexts as, "against, belong, because, depends, inspired."  We could say, I believe, Jesus' Kingdom is not against, does not belong to, is not because of, does not depend upon, nor is inspired by, "this world."  Jesus Christ is "not from this world," but we can say that Jesus and His Kingdom is for this world, "I came...to save the world."

For your personal comfort today, I pray that you see this as a conformation of Jesus' love, care, and provision for you and me, no matter the context in which we find ourselves.  Jesus is, "King of nations," your work place, your home.

Father, in Jesus' Name, teach me continually what "all of this" means.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Beneath The Cross Of Jesus Worship Video

"Now THIS Is Life Eternal"

"Now this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent."  (John 17:3, KJV & Interlinear)

I played a video study in one of our parishes years ago, entitled, "Knowing God."  It was based on our text.  I heard the author of that video series being interviewed on a radio program.  The simplicity with which he said, "Eternal life is knowing God," really stayed with me.  And so there we have it.  This is not some, "Repeat after me," some "formula," some correct altar call.  Eternal Life is powerfully, simply knowing God in Jesus Christ.

Islam says this cannot be.  It teaches that you cannot know God personally.  This is in stark contrast with Christianity, which is what the Bible calls, "the faith of Jesus."  Our text tells humanity and the deceived followers of Islam that we can not only know God in Jesus Christ, but also in that knowing have His Eternal Life.  You probably know that the Word for, "know," is the most intimate, personal of knowing.  Our relationship in Jesus Christ cannot be made any clearer.  This is just glorious: "Now this is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee...."

The Interlinear gives a specific reference in defining the Word, "know," as, "To become acquainted with."  This same Word is found in John 10, "I am the good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep." 

The call to, "know...God," is the most wonderful "knowing;" it is a "knowing" which could be described as, "Now unto Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,..to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen."  I confess: As I read our text this morning, my eyes filled with tears.  John 17:3 is just wonderful, "Good News."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I can never thank You enough for the reality of John 17:3.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2